How to become A Basketball Coach

Perhaps the best basket Michael Jordan made was to humbly acknowledge that “A coach is someone who sees beyond your limits and guides you to your greatness.” Successful Basketball Coaches run drills and practices that force their players to reflect on working harder and improving their game.

• Basketball Skills Coach

What do Basketball Coaches do?

A Basketball Coach would typically need to:

• Maximise individual and team offensive and defensive skills as well as physical conditioning through a series of strategic practices and well-managed games
• Analyse the skills and abilities of all team members, so everyone has an equal opportunity to play to their strengths
• Develop winning strategies and plays based on the in-depth analysis of each player’s unique skills
• Assess the competition - the teams and the coaches - and use the assessment in setting up their team for success
• Stay abreast of the basketball league rule book to make sure all the team members learn and adhere to the rules and avoid fouls and consequent penalties
• Keep track of and use timeouts to the team’s advantage; seek clarity about calls on plays from the referees; monitor the score closely
• Prepare players for the games with well-designed and effectively-executed drills and practice sessions; work on their overall strength and conditioning
• Watch videos of past games to identify tactical and coaching errors which need to be avoided in future
• Choose team members best suited to a particular game; direct, motivate and encourage their preparation
• Call specific plays to surprise or overpower the competition; make strategic decisions about player substitutions during a game
• Assign specific drills to correct the techniques of the team as a whole; use customised, one-on-one training approaches, if necessary 
• Ensure the players maintain acceptable academic grades and achieve optimal team chemistry
• Guide and mentor assistant coaches in the discharge of their duties towards the team; help in their career advancement
• Scout for and recruit promising players for the team; offer viable and attractive incentives to eligible prospects
• Model good sportsmanship and emotional intelligence on and off the court; execute essential medical procedures such as CPR and first aid
• Coach a middle school or high school team, if employed by a school; take care of their primary job in academics or administration and any job-related paperwork 
• Take part in fundraising events and liaise with sports announcers and news reporters, if employed by a college or professional team
• Maintain records of team and opponents’ performances; manage travel plans for games, game statistics and roster

Basketball Coaches divide their time between high school/college gymnasiums, the locker room, film room, or a large sports arena. Practice sessions and actual games include a boisterous environment and the need to stand for extended periods and walk or run up and down the court.

Full-time Basketball Coaches work more than 40 hours a week, most of them in the evenings or over weekends and holidays, especially during the sports season. You will need to travel to scout for promising players and accompany your team to games.

Finding a new job might seem taxing. Basketball coaches can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Basketball Coaches are generally employed by:

• Schools
• Colleges & Universities
• Federal Agencies
• Sports & Recreation Companies
• Consulting Agencies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the IPBA (International Professional Basketball Association), are crucial for coaches interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Distracting levels of noise during practice sessions and games
• Irregular and unsocial work schedules, including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Excessive travel and time away from family during sporting events
• Stress due to accountability for the team’s wins and behaviour on and off the court

Begin playing basketball at an early age; any experience gained as a member of your school and college basketball team may help you get a job as an assistant coach or graduate assistant, which is a common stepping stone to becoming a bonafide Basketball Coach.

As team manager for your college team, you will enhance your leadership skills while being groomed in effective ways to prepare your team for practice and competitions. A viable alternative is to volunteer to assist in coaching a local high school basketball team.

Attend and watch as many professional basketball games as possible to better understand astute tactics and strategies. Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts working as Basketball coaches to prove your commitment to prospective employers.

Keep in mind that some coaches have no prior coaching expertise but get plum coaching roles due to their prowess as star basketball players.

Most Basketball Coaches have a bachelor’s degree in physical education, exercise science, sports medicine, kinesiology, business, or education with a minor in physical or sports training.

Some have an associate degree in the subjects mentioned above, while a few manage to get entry-level jobs with a high school diploma or GED (General Education Development).

If your academic program does not include them, make sure you complete coursework in biology, nutrition, and marketing as related to athletic coaching.

Focus on physical education, health, psychology, biology, business, and English in high school.

Certification in personal training, athletic coaching fundamentals, sports safety, first aid, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator) from an objective and reputed organisation can help an aspirant Basketball Coach stand out in a competitive job market and allow them to become an independent consultant.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. A combination of education, experience, and testing is generally required to gain certification, though requirements differ from region to region.

You may be asked to undergo an employment background check that can include but is not limited to your work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Fieldwork is often the cornerstone of a teacher education program and allows promising Basketball Coaches to demonstrate their expertise. 

The location of your practical experiences will vary. However, the majority of them will likely be with the grade you are preparing yourself to teach under the close supervision of a mentor. Most programs require that a candidate spend some time in all classes and gather some experience with special needs children.

Private schools, part-time workers, and those employed by smaller facilities or youth leagues may not need certification. Check with your prospective employer or local education board for more specific requirements

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Basketball Coaches whose career paths may veer off in diverse directions.

Professionals who have made a name for themselves at a high school level can aspire to coach the teams participating in intercollegiate competitions. You can move from a less well-known institution to a more prestigious one by the same token.

You could become the Head Coach and eventually move into the role of General Manager of the team or Director of the athletic program. However, this depends on your location and the kind of team you are coaching - school level, collegiate level, or a national team.

If your interest lies in that direction, you could become a Coach Development Officer who guides and mentors other coaches to enhance their professional skills and qualifications.

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree preferably in physical education, experience as an assistant coach, practical knowledge of the sport and its rules, and leadership skills have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Basketball Coach build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. CPD also helps with the regular renewal of desirable certifications.

Give yourself enough time to imbibe important take-aways from a team while helping them realise their potential before moving on to another challenge. The more diverse the teams you work with, the greater the expertise you bring to the table as a Basketball Coach.

Access resources from national federations or regional authorities to aid growth; take advantage of coaching clinics and courses. Go beyond basketball and study educational approaches from other sports and related fields to help you improve your coaching skills.

A referee’s course will give you valuable opportunities to place yourself in the shoes of officials while offering to assist them in conducting competitions or help manage a team will enable you to understand the challenges faced by administrators. 

The Current Scenario

Recovery from the COVID-19 recession, increase in the number of student-athletes due to a climb in high school enrolment and rise in the number of small universities participating in intercollegiate competitions and women’s sports will necessitate the hiring of a significant number of Basketball Coaches in the next decade.

Traits That Shape An Amazing Basketball Coach

A great strategy is essential for a coach. What the coach offers outside the court is as important as their advice inside. Openly communicating, actively listening, and respecting all players make a great coach.

Inspirational Entertainment

Coach Carter is a brilliant movie that you should watch if you want to become a Basketball Coach. Mr Carter, the owner of a sporting goods business, accepts the position of basketball coach at his former high school, where he was a champion athlete. Appalled by his players' attitudes, he sets out to improve things.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Basketball Coaches have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and select their projects and clients. However, this would mean lesser income.

On the other hand, a full-time Basketball Coach would have health, accident, and life insurance. In addition to a steady income, they can lay claim to a health savings account and professional development assistance. With time, they could enjoy slightly more flexible hours.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Greg Popovich, who led his team to no less than five NBA final wins, earns around US$11 million and is acclaimed as the universal Yoda of the NBA.

Basketball Coaches who strive to cultivate discipline, accountability, trust and team spirit are the ones who will remain in the spotlight long after they are gone.

“Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s the courage that counts.”  

Coach John Wooden